AN 83-YEAR-OLD woman is asking for a cat lover to take over the sanctuary she runs as she fears the homeless moggies will be left alone or killed when she dies.

Joyce Harris currently cares for around 25 cats at the Loughborough Cat Sanctuary which runs from her home in Albert Place, Loughborough.

The Loughborough Cat Sanctuary was founded by Mrs Harris and her husband Ken in 1986. Mrs Harris has been running the charity on her own for the last 19 years after Ken unexpectedly died of an aneurysm.

Mrs Harris said: “Ken went to fetch some cats Saturday night, had pains on Sunday and died on Monday. He loved cats and all animals and that’s what bought us together.

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“I’m 84 next March and I’ve not got many years to think about things. I don’t want to leave a shed full of cats for someone else to try and cope with. A lot of people would call a rescue and they’d get put down and that’s not what I’ve worked for.”

The cats Mrs Harris cares for have come from a variety of different places and all have their own requirements. Among the cats she cares for is: a HIV positive cat, a mother and four kittens abandoned in Regent Place Retail Park, numerous feral cats and cats temporarily left at the sanctuary by family members that never return to collect them.

Mrs Harris said: “I’ve never seen an animal I could not love. I’m looking for someone who has got enough land to take over the sanctuary and we have funding to set up any buildings needed. I just need someone with the will to do it.”

Charnwood Borough Coun Ted Parton told the Echo: “As both a cat owner and Mrs Harris’ Ward Councillor, I am in complete admiration for her devout and 30 years plus service to cat rescue and rehoming in the Loughborough area.

“ I am most keen to see Mrs Harris take a thoroughly deserved retirement.”

Anyone interested in taking over the sanctuary is asked to call 01509 263357.